Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, Scottsdale
More photosSanctuary on Camelback Mountain is a legendary Scottsdale retreat with a glamorous Hollywood backstory. It originally opened in the 1950s as the Paradise Valley Racquet Club, a vision brought to life by Sydney Chaplin (Charlie Chaplin’s son) and several star-studded investors. The clubhouse and original casitas were designed by Hiram Hudson Benedict, a talented protégé of the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright, infusing the property with timeless, mid-century desert architecture.
In 2001, the resort underwent a major transformation to become the luxurious Sanctuary it is today. Perched on the northern slope of Camelback Mountain, the resort offers 53 acres of pristine desert landscapes. Its design thoughtfully pairs that classic 1950s aesthetic with modern luxury, featuring 81 mountain casitas and several private estates that are perfectly oriented to frame the stunning valley views and the famous “Praying Monk” rock formation.
The resort is a haven for wellness and relaxation. Its renowned spa is a standout feature, centered around the serene “Sanctum”—a private, stone-walled outdoor treatment room. For dining, the award-winning elements restaurant is a local favorite, known for its focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and its dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Paradise Valley.
Nature lovers are perfectly positioned here for adventure, with challenging hiking trails on Camelback Mountain just steps away. For those looking to explore further, the lush Desert Botanical Garden and the culture-rich museums of downtown Scottsdale are only a short drive from this tranquil mountain hideaway.
Expert reviews
“This visually breathtaking place was the Valley’s first hip resort, and I still like the contemporary rooms here better than those at other hip hotels around town—and so do the celebrities who stay here.”
“Draped across the northern slopes of Camelback Mountain, this luxe resort and spa feels like a hideaway of the gods. Mountain suites, spa casitas, private homes – no matter your choice, you will feel pampered, protected and deserving. Lodgings are decorated in slick modern tones that contrast with the ochres of the desert.”
“A long history of health and wellness makes this luxe resort a true sanctuary for the modern soul. The posh retreat boasts a legendary spa, innovative and farm-focused cuisine and a distinctive place of respite high above the cityscape on Camelback Mountain.”
What guests liked
- Top location
- Golf course
- Swimming pool
- Comfortable beds
- Friendly staff
Location
Recent guest reviews
15 October 2025
Exceptional
2 October 2025
Exceptional
29 August 2025
Exceptional
11 August 2025
Exceptional
15 July 2025
Exceptional
9 November 2024
Fabulous
23 September 2024
Exceptional
30 June 2024
Exceptional
28 May 2024
Exceptional
16 March 2024
Fabulous
11 March 2024
Fabulous
23 February 2024
Exceptional
15 January 2024
Exceptional
4 December 2023
Exceptional
31 October 2023
Fabulous
28 September 2023
Exceptional
3 July 2023
Exceptional
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Kids' meals (additional charge)
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
- - Fruits (additional charge)
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Barber/beauty shop
- - Family rooms
- - Safety deposit box
- - Car hire
- - Heating
- - Allergy-free room
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Designated smoking area
- - Grocery deliveries (additional charge)
- - Pet basket
- - Pet bowls
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Fax/photocopying (additional charge)
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Express check-in/check-out
- - Tour desk
- - Luggage storage
- - ATM/cash machine on site
- - Concierge service
- - Lockers
- - Invoice provided
Activities
- - Tennis court
- - Sauna
- - Fitness centre
- - Golf course (within 3 km) (additional charge)
- - Spa and wellness centre (additional charge)
- - Massage (additional charge)
- - Hot tub/Jacuzzi
- - Hiking
- - Cycling
- - Tennis equipment (additional charge)
- - Beauty services
- - Facial treatments
- - Make-up services
- - Hair treatments
- - Manicure
- - Pedicure
- - Haircut
- - Hair colouring
- - Hair styling
- - Body treatments
- - Body scrub
- - Body wrap
- - Spa facilities
- - Steam room
- - Spa lounge/relaxation area
- - Foot bath
- - Spa/wellness packages
- - Back massage
- - Neck massage
- - Foot massage
- - Couples massage
- - Head massage
- - Hand massage
- - Full body massage
- - Fitness
- - Yoga classes
- - Fitness classes
- - Personal trainer
- - Fitness/spa locker rooms
- - Bike tours (additional charge)
- - Happy hour (additional charge)
- - Bicycle rental (additional charge)
Outdoors
- - Garden
- - Terrace
- - Outdoor pool
- - Sun terrace
- - Outdoor pool (all year)
- - Outdoor furniture
- - Outdoor fireplace
Entertainment & family services
- - Babysitting/child services (additional charge)
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
- - Trouser press (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping
Parking
- - Electric vehicle charging station
- - Accessible parking
Accessibility
- - Wheelchair accessible
- - Toilet with grab rails
- - Raised toilet
- - Lower bathroom sink
- - Emergency cord in bathroom
- - Visual aids: Braille
- - Visual aids: Tactile signs
- - Auditory guidance
Pool and wellness
- - Infinity pool
- - Pool with view
- - Heated pool
- - Pool bar
- - Sun loungers or beach chairs
- - Fence around pool
- - Swimming pool
- - Swimming pool
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Key card access
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Breakfast takeaway containers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
- - Access to health care professionals
- - Thermometers for guests provided by property
- - Face masks for guests available
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Exceptional